upstater1 said:
Donahoe screwed you guys badly.
You had Travis Henry, spent a #1 on McGahee
Spent a #1 on Bledsoe, then spent a #1 on Losman. And this year Whitner and McCargo?
I live in Buffalo, though I'm originally from New England. I don't want to see you guys getting hit this badly year after year but you're just not bringing in any talent, and sooner or later, the fans wills top showing up at the stadium. It's been a decade already. I'd rather see you guys finish second than the Phins or Jets.
I actually think Marv and Jauron have a strategy that might work over the next 2-3 years and last for a while.
Looking backover the offseason I see a real philosophy as to how the Bills Management is rebuilding this franchise. and is trgeting theis team to start peaking in 2 years and hopefully make a long term run of being good again.
1) Get younger players with upside potential across the team. And yes the cheaper price tag was part of the reality needed for a smaller team.
2)They got rid of several veterans that were past there prime. There were probably more they could have gotten rid of but they didn't want to lose to much experience to teach the younger players. The verterans had to demostrate a strong willingness to focus on game preperation - this is a big philosophy requirement of Marv Levy.
3) Bring in young FA with Potential that are looking for starting opportunities. The Bills signed the third most FAs of any tema in the NFL this offseason (I believe it was 11 FAs). If three of these signings grow into good starting players they were good pickups.
4) Draft: While there has been much speculation about whether the Bills drafted well, I think there was a plan. We drafted several underclassman. Even a Sophomore in Ko. Most draft experts thought that if these players stayed in school they had a great chance of being first round picks if not one of the Top players in their position. So over the next season they will continue to get better, but now playing under a Pro system. If lucky we may have gotten three or four first round talent in this years draft. It will take a season or two to develop.
5) If the Bills continue the plan with young FA accusitions with potential again next year and pickup a few more starte caliber players again that could give the Bills upto a total of 10 new league calibre starters on the roster by the end of next season. (3 FAs from this years off season, 3-4 draft picks from this past draft, 3 FAs in next off season, 1-2 players from next years draft). This builds a significant foundation for a run at something special.
6) Then the Bills can make the Premier FA aquisition to fill in any remaining hole.
Thats the plan as I see it. My main concern is of-course QB. It was tough to see the Top QB passed on in this draft. But obviously they felt they had to see if JP has the right stuff. I hope the JP can improve quick enough to take this team into the playoffs in the seasons ahead.
The future is so bright I gotta wear shades.
This is a huge difference from what the previous Bills management would have done this past offseason.
There - have I convinced youall to be Bills Fans?